Chapter 286: Chapter 286: Must You Marry the One Who Saved You from Drowning? (57)

Ah Chen said, “When I arrived at the Capital City this time, Your Majesty suddenly asked me who my mentor was. We chatted for a while, and I mentioned Your Majesty’s master, whose name is Lin Yueying.”

She felt that this was unlikely to be a coincidence. Then, recalling the unusual things Lin Daming had brought out, some of which were quite rare, she guessed that Lin Yueying is highly likely to be Lin Daming’s birth mother.

What Shen Hui said afterward could actually match up with this.

It’s just that the person isn’t in the Capital City, usually rushing back only briefly before leaving again, and hasn’t returned for years, merely arranging for people to send things back.

“To be certain, I requested a portrait from Your Majesty.” Ah Chen took out Lin Yueying’s portrait from the box and handed it to Lin Daming, thinking that Lin Daming probably missed his birth mother a lot.

His mention of it was full of emotion.

If the two could reunite during their lifetimes, it would be wonderful.

As for whether the Commissioner would have the chance to meet in their lifetime, it’s really unknown.

Lin Daming was shocked, heard there was a portrait, hurriedly took it and opened it to see a familiar face appearing before him, making the man in his thirties or forties get emotional and his eyes red.

“Chenchen, she is your grandmother.”

“Where is your grandmother now?” Lin Daming hurriedly asked, then quickly regained his senses — it turns out his mother is Your Majesty’s master?

On this matter, Shen Hui and Ah Chen had mentioned it before; years ago, he encountered an assassination attempt, facing extreme danger, and was saved by Lin Yueying by chance. He felt meeting such an expert without doing something in return was meaningless, so he used all his effort to impress her and ended up becoming her apprentice.

Lin Yueying had profound feelings towards Shen Hui as well, believing he could become a wise Monarch King, so she was willing to assist him. According to Shen Hui, she seemed to have a few concerns at that time but didn’t mention them much, and he couldn’t ask too much. Later, when she helped with his affairs, she never showed that expression again.

However, one year, she mentioned needing to handle a personal matter, which would take some time, and exchanged a lot of her things into Silver Taels. Shen Hui saw this and gave her quite a bit, also found some rare items for her.

Ah Chen shared Lin Yueying’s situation with Lin Daming, who wiped his eyes happily, relieved to know his mother is fine and indeed Your Majesty’s master, so there’s really nothing to worry about. As long as she is well, seeing her or not doesn’t matter.

She must be free, and no one should constrain her.

“I guess so,” Ah Chen said, “Your Majesty has already written to grandmother, and if she comes back next time, she should come see you, father.”

Lin Daming was moved, as if his daughter saw through his thoughts.

Indeed, he missed his mother.

“I’m such a grown man now, if she’s really busy, let her be busy, I’m doing quite well.”

If she assists Your Majesty with tasks, they must be significant.

Ah Chen laughed, “Your Majesty said it’s been more than ten years, grandmother should be returning soon, and most of the things she sought must have been found.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Daming was indeed quite happy, with some anticipation in his heart.

Shi Wen and Qin Cheng, busy at work, also heard the news about Shen Xuan becoming Prince Shen, the two feeling a bit astonishing.

To think Shen Xuan had such fortune?

Not long after, they heard that Fang Erniang and Qu Shao were executed.

Shi Wen’s face turned pale, suggesting the matter had probably been investigated thoroughly, and the person behind it had been uncovered; otherwise, with Lord County Magistrate’s personality, it wasn’t conceivable to execute people.

Staring at the land, she felt as though there was no chance for redemption.

Even if it’s only a few years before being released, by then, she’s too old to reach even Landlord Chen.

She didn’t know what her life should be like.

If she hadn’t schemed against Lin Chen, and hadn’t plotted against Ying Bairong, what would have become of her life? Surely better than now.

Marrying Landlord Chen would at least ensure a life without worry over food or drink, covered in gold and silver; marrying a young scholar could lead to a simple yet warm life… All in all better than now.

But if she really lived such a life, would she be content?

No, she wouldn’t be content.

Why is her fate like this, while Lin Chen’s fate is so good?

Having Lin Daming as a father, the originally idle Shen Xuan turned out better than anyone, and was even titled Prince Shen, becoming brothers with the current Majesty — that was a leap to success.

What hit Shi Wen harder was that Ying Bairong was the top Scholar in the autumn examination.

If she had succeeded then, she would be the wife of a Scholar, and in the future perhaps even achieve more; her vision had never been wrong.

Everything went downhill from there, if Lin Chen hadn’t reacted that way that day, she surely would have succeeded, Shi Wen steadfastly thought.

Qin Cheng was also somewhat overwhelmed by the blow, regretting his calculations. Had he not calculated, Ying Bairong would still be his friend, with limitless prospects, having such a friend would inevitably benefit him. Had he not schemed, he might still have met Miss Li from the Li Family, smoothly marrying her.

“Cousin, why did I listen to cousin’s words back then?”

If only he hadn’t listened to her.

The following year, Ying Bairong went to the Capital City for the exams and met Shen Heng, they bonded well. Friends and competitors, yet appreciated each other very much.

Originally, Shen Heng should have taken the exam three years ago, but he fell ill that time, unable to even get out of bed.

Initially, Shen Xuan planned to visit the Capital City once a year, and just when Shen Heng was taking the exam, he took Ah Chen along. This time they journeyed leisurely, coincidentally meeting Ying Bairong, and later traveled together.

Along the way, Ying Bairong was often filled with awe at the wonder of fate.

When the palace examination results were announced, Shen Heng was the Champion Scholar, Ying Bairong the second place.

Locked in the Prince Xian Mansion, Shen Xiang was momentarily stunned, should Ying Bairong not have been the Champion Scholar? Quickly, he recalled that Shen Heng participated this time. With Shen Heng present, Ying Bairong would always be slightly behind. After all, according to his past life’s trajectory, Shen Heng should have won the Champion Scholar three years ago.

Yet his interference led Shen Heng into illness.

Back then, he didn’t directly harm the Shen Family because he feared unforeseen circumstances, as the Shen Family could find those coveted things he wanted. He believed having those things could make him a Monarch King praised by the world for ages. Secondly, he feared alerting others, as his Imperial Uncle had formidable skills.

Previously, about Qu Shao’s report in Lanru County, he aimed at Ying Bairong because he thought Ying Bairong was a person worth using. There was no conflict between them; once he became Emperor, Ying Bairong had to follow his orders.

But he still felt uneasy, fearing what thoughts this person might develop later, so he followed Qu Shao’s advice to insert a pawn early by his side, ready to use whenever necessary.

Unexpectedly, since Qu Shao went to Lanru County, he hadn’t returned, probably perished.

“This Ying Bairong has quite some resolve, he rejected them all,” Shen Xuan said, “Does he not like women, or does he have such preferences?”

Ah Chen and Shen Hui turned to him, their expressions peculiar.

Shen Hui drove him away, while they were making barbecue skewers in the Imperial Palace.

[Brother Tong, surely he doesn’t want to be a celibate king like I once did, right? But alas, I have Chenchen, he doesn’t, hehe.]

System: …

Ah Chen laughed and told Shen Xuan, “He has someone he likes.”

Shen Xuan understood, “Then it’s fine.”

He was quite understanding.

Though the Ying Family’s situation was complicated, seeing Ying Bairong as a determined person, it’s likely he would manage well.

“Brother, don’t you have someone you like yet? You have nothing to do, stop staying in the palace all day, go out for a walk.” Shen Xuan said, “You don’t really want to be a celibate king, do you? Actually, being in love is quite interesting.”

“Even though you’re the Emperor, and at your command many would be willing, still, you should pursue it yourself to truly savor its beauty, or you’ll never experience its true joys.”

Shen Hui: …

For over thirty years, he often feared he’d be assimilated here. Ever since reuniting with his younger brother, that concern was no longer feasible.

With them around, assimilation was impossible.

Here could only be changed by him!

Changed toward the direction he hoped for.

“Sister-in-law, Master is already on her way, estimated to arrive in the Capital City in about three months,” Shen Hui mentioned.

Ah Chen said, “Thank you, big brother, for worrying about this.”

Three months later, Lin Yueying returned to the Capital City.

She hurriedly explained a few matters to Shen Hui, then with Ah Chen and Shen Xuan, headed to Lanru County.

After over ten years away, she missed that lad a bit as well.

Upon seeing Lin Daming, whose eyes were red, she seldom patiently comforted him for a moment.

Watching the mother and son catch up, Ah Chen pulled Shen Xuan out of the Lin Family’s home.

Outside the Lin Family, they heard the lively sounds from Ying Bairong’s home.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep